Cut the online personal attacks

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When I read an article in the Observer-Reporter about which I would like to comment, I write a letter to the editor. As per your requirements, I provide my name, address, and phone number. I am happy to do so.

However, if I choose to comment online on the Observer-Reporter website, I can hide behind my anonymity and gleefully write whatever I choose, with no accountability. A perfect example would be the comments following the recent articles about Citizens Library.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but allowing these opinions to appear anonymously does a disservice to all. Commenting on issues is great. Personal attacks on our library director and board members are not so great. How does one respond when one doesn’t know who’s doing the attacking?

The Observer-Reporter should require that online commenters be subject to the same rules as those who write letters to the editor. I am proudly signing my name.